terrible timing

USAGE SUMMARY

"terrible timing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where the timing of an event is particularly unfortunate or inconvenient. Example: "He chose to announce his resignation during the company's biggest crisis, which was terrible timing." Alternative expressions include "poor timing" and "bad timing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Sports Illustrated tweeted a film clip titled, "Today's Georgia Dome implosion isn't the first time the MARTA bus had terrible timing," in which video of the bus gliding in front of cameras was spliced with shots of various sports.

The Washington Post

Today's Georgia Dome implosion isn't the first time the MARTA bus had terrible timing pic.twitter.com/pNSyY5fPQf.

Huffington Post

He had terrible timing.

The Washington Post

What terrible timing".

The New York Times

"It was terrible timing," she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Terrible timing, because the video's just gone so viral.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

They used knowledge and experience to turn the terrible economic timing into a benefit.

Harvard Business Review

Feel terrible about timing of "Fast & Furious" puzzle tonight.

Huffington Post

Buckingham Palace has a terrible sense of timing.

Independent

Israelis were split: even those who consider Sharon distasteful and his timing terrible found it difficult to condemn a Jew for visiting a Jewish holy place.

The New Yorker

Being forced to the sidelines to convalesce might seem a terrible bit of timing, coming after the momentum of the Clinton show, but Rob Burnett, executive producer of "Late Show With David Letterman," said he did not see it that way.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "terrible timing", ensure the context clearly indicates why the timing is problematic. Provide specific details to illustrate the negative consequences or missed opportunities due to the unfortunate timing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "terrible timing" without explaining why. Provide context. Instead of just saying "The announcement was terrible timing", explain: "The announcement was "terrible timing" because it coincided with the competitor's product launch, overshadowing our efforts."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrible timing" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "terrible" modifies the noun "timing". Ludwig shows that it describes an unfortunate or inappropriate moment for something to occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terrible timing" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unfortunate or inappropriate moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed across a range of contexts, primarily in news and media. While "terrible timing" is widely understood, synonyms such as "unfortunate timing" or "inopportune moment" may be more suitable for highly formal settings. When using this phrase, provide context to clearly illustrate why the timing is problematic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful timing

Replaces "terrible" with "awful", a synonym expressing strong disapproval or misfortune regarding the timing.

dreadful timing

Substitutes "terrible" with "dreadful", emphasizing the unpleasant or alarming nature of the timing.

atrocious timing

Uses "atrocious" instead of "terrible", highlighting the shockingly bad or brutal nature of the timing.

appalling timing

Replaces "terrible" with "appalling", stressing the shocking and deeply unpleasant aspect of the timing.

unfortunate timing

Changes the phrasing to focus on the lack of luck or favorable circumstances surrounding the timing.

ill-timed

Uses a single adjective to convey the idea of something happening at an unsuitable or inappropriate moment.

inopportune moment

Shifts the expression to focus on the unsuitability of the specific moment in time.

untimely

A more concise way of saying something occurred at a bad or unsuitable time.

badly timed

A more direct and simplified alternative, focusing on the poor quality of the timing.

poorly timed

Similar to "badly timed", emphasizing the lack of skill or judgment in the timing of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "terrible timing" in a sentence?

You can use "terrible timing" to describe an event that occurred at an inopportune moment. For instance, "The release of the report during the scandal was a case of "terrible timing"".

What are some alternatives to "terrible timing"?

Alternatives to "terrible timing" include "awful timing", "unfortunate timing", or "inopportune moment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to use "terrible timing" in formal writing?

Yes, "terrible timing" is acceptable in formal writing, although synonyms like "unfortunate timing" or "inopportune moment" might be preferred to maintain a more professional tone.

What makes timing "terrible"?

Timing is considered "terrible" when an event coincides with another, creating negative consequences or missed opportunities. Factors contributing to "terrible timing" include conflicting schedules, negative news cycles, or other unfavorable circumstances.